REMEMBERING BILL HERBERT

March 29, 1947 - July 13, 1995
by
Graham Pugh
 
  Not long ago I learned that Classmate Bill Herbert spent his final days in Duncan, Oklahoma, a small town not far from where I live. It so happens that my wife's cousin lives there and for one reason or another, I've had the occasion to visit there many times! After a few days of research, I was able to locate Bill's daughter Laura who still lives in Duncan. Over the course of several telephone conversations, she was happy to share Bill's story with me . 

In late September, my wife and I went for a Sunday drive and visited Bill’s final resting place. Somewhere along the Oklahoma countryside west of Duncan and seemingly miles from nowhere, we found Rock Creek Cemetery - a peaceful and dignified place worthy of our friend and classmate.

I have not been able to meet with Bill's family but hope to do so in the near future.

Special thanks to Bill's daughter Laura, Terry Dunn and Fred Svarney who provided information for this article.
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Bill’s family moved to Fort Lauderdale in the mid 1950’s. Along with his brother, John, and sister Lynn, they lived in a neighborhood just north of Peters Road and west of State Road 7. Bill attended Sunset Elementary and Parkway Junior High.

At Stranahan, Bill was active in Student Council and belonged to several student organizations, including Junior Exchange, Hi-Y and Pep Club. Many of us remember him as an outstanding member of “The Jolly Green Giants” defensive unit of our football team. Teammate Terry Dunn remembers Bill as a gifted athlete who was hard-working and hard-hitting! Bill’s prowess on the field earned him the Key Club Defensive Player of the Year award. He also shared honors with Fred Svarney as Team Captain.
 
 

Bill and teammate Terry Dunn were both awarded scholarships to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma and while there shared the same dormitory.  It wasn’t long before Bill met Yolanda Goss. They were soon married and later William Herbert IV was born.  Bill spent two years in Oklahoma then attended Central Missouri State College, graduating with a degree in criminal justice.  Upon graduation he went to work as an agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. During this period, his daughter Laura was born.  Bill's assignments took him to St. Louis, Missouri and New Orleans, Louisiana. He continued his education, eventually earning a master’s degree in criminal justice from George Washington University. 

 In 1984 while living in Louisiana, Bill was diagnosed with primary brain cancer. He had few choices and after 16 years of service, retired from the ATF. He was treated with radiation and surgery and was in remission for 5 years.  During this period, classmates helped bring him to Fort Lauderdale to attend our 25 Year reunion at the Bonaventure Hotel. 


                   Wedding Day 1967

 Bill eventually needed another surgery and during recovery suffered a stroke. His condition deteriorated and full-time care was needed. Two years later, the family moved to Duncan, Oklahoma where Yolanda's family would help take care of him. 

Surrounded by family and friends, Bill passed peacefully away at home on July 13, 1995. He was laid to rest in a small country cemetery just west of Duncan, Oklahoma.